The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-07-07

-
~ IS thsArsicls = @hichsw rsfn,sd eertsin
statements made HMM HE address % the
presS Association dAproves 1pthing that ws said
aud sustains nothing that he had said. We do
not wish 10 be unnecessarily disagreeable, but
we would remark that he should have been sui.
icicntly informed to know that the FLoRIDrAN
never takes position in State affairs which is
not sustained by facts, and that all assaults upon
it inevitably result in the discontinue Of its as
sailants. He may dispute this but he cannot
disprove it-and no man can. He may display
even more irritation than he has done, use more
abusive words, and contradict more fatty, but
he will only yet be further in the wrong aud the
FLORIDrAN remain undisturbed ia the right-of
course, and as always He will be always in
the wrong when he refuses, rs he says, TO
"dance 10 the music of little political whpper-
| snappers like the editor OF the FLoRrDlAN." He
says he has had TO deal with just such political
bushwhackers for twenty years and we have
had to now and then for ,hrty-fve years, since
we were first editor and publisher OF Florida
paper in 1S52-and we know just how to whack
'em! We don't like to do it, but we have il to
do as a matter of duty when they make covert
attacks on the democratic party--fre into it
from the ambush Of Kearneyism, agrurianism
socialism, communism, or any other ism, while
sheltering themselves under the democratic
banner.
This persOnalism is unpleasant. and there is
little argument in it but the less argument the
better when argument Is met by evasons, and
facts by mere assertions. Argument is wasted
when bold assertions are accepted in preference
to facts by those whose prejudices are appealed
to or whose discomfort is nourished thereby
What profit is there IN discussion with one who
seeks to make carpei-bag administration of af-
fairs compare favorAby with Democralc-who
asserts that in Florida owners are punished
with tax so excessive rs TO amount almost TO
confscaion of property One who instances
the amount of taxes on certain specified property
as being larger now than twelve years ago and
is not fair enough 10 state ths vastly increased
value of that property, and even throws into the
scale on the side Of his argument the advantage
of paying taxes in carpetbag scrip AT so cents on
the dollar! Is such stuff for the consideration
of intelligent readers "-or to prejudice the Ig-
norant voter against Democratic administra-
tlOD w nat Stat6iHeut tHdL nc ulukCS SuHI1 Oc
accepted9
But however we dislike 10 extend this article
We will refer to and quote u portion of his
which alone fully proves his unfitness To act rs
instructor in public affairs. We copy:
OF the million dollars paid into the State
Treasury from the Disstsn SALE the FLORIDIAN
says:
surely public man and journalist should know
what every of ordinary information to pub
lie affairs does know, that the money was raised by
the Disston sale IN order to pay particular debt
which paid, and did not 20 into the Treasury
to meet ordinary expenses that provided for by
taxation"
Now, that is beautiful argument for ine-
gent readers, isn't it? Had not n lax to be lev
led tor the annual payment of the interest ON
that debt! and does not the payment of that
debt d" away with the annual levy of a tax to
meet the interest? Should not the burden of
taxation be lesseneu in proportion thereto?
What does the FLrRtDIAN take us for?
We won't answer the last question, for we
don't like to fiatter-but as to that which pre-
coded ii we will say that the burden OF taxa
ton" was not "lessened IN proportion TO "the
payment Ofihat debt for that debt was an obi
CATION Of the Internal Improvement Fund" -
that is the lands donated by Congress and their
proceeds-and it WAS responsible for all charges
against itself for interest or otherwise, to be met
from the proceeds of sales of its lands The
people were never taxed to pay any part of its
debt nor any interest upon it, Its obligations
were things apart from those of the State gov
eminent proper, as any public man and jour
nalst should know" before he sets up tor
teacher as to State affairs. But whether he knows
or not his intelligent readers " are not apt to
be msled by anything that he says after the
specimens noted.